Privacy, Security & Virus Information
What Risks Do You Face From Online Fraud?
Anytime that someone has access to your personal information, you are at risk of becoming a victim of online fraud. Know what threats you and your family face, and how to prevent disaster.
McAfee offers a range of products designed to protect you, your personal information, and your family. Read on to learn more about Phishing, Money Mules, and Online Bank Fraud. Then, learn about the ways that McAfee can help keep you safe.
Phishing
"Phishing" is a fancy word for stealing information such as usernames, passwords, and banking information. The scary thing is the manner in which it is carried out.
Programming that has been designed to Phish will present itself as a trusted online system, such as eBay, PayPal, or even your bank. Through an instant message or email, you will be directed to an official-looking site, where you proceed to hand over account information and personal details.
These websites are meticulously designed to trick users into believing they are authentic. However, an anti virus program with a built-in alert system can detect these threats and prevent online fraud.
Money Mules
Increasingly common is the concept of the "Money Mule". This is essentially a money laundering operation in which citizens of the UK are used to conceal the proceeds of illegal activity.
Internet users are contacted through their email accounts or instant messages and are asked to become a "UK Representative" for some international organization. The job is easy - accept and transfer money, keeping a commission for yourself.
The most unfortunate aspect of this fraud is that instead of simply stealing your information, it could land in you in prison. UK citizens who fall victim to Money Mule Scams can be charged with a crime.
Making this form of fraud increasingly frightening is that the most likely victims are young adults and teens, naïve in the ways of the world and eager to earn the easy money.
You can protect your children by discussing the threat of this fraud and installing an internet system that includes parental controls. Controls, such as those provided by McAfee Privacy Service, will allow you to monitor the sites your children visit and prevent contact with online predators.
Online Bank Fraud
In the UK about 15 million people bank online. A convenience that few would wish to forgo, online banking does pose security risks of which all users should be aware.
Fake emails, imposter websites, Trojan Horses, and Worms threaten to steal your account information with each purchase and transaction that is completed online. The good news is that there are ways to protect yourself.
Good Solution
Many banks and consumer websites are using online-authentications to help verify that the information being sent is from an authorized user. These online-authentications require the user to enter additional pass codes and information.
Better Solution
While online authentications are a step in the right direction, they may not be enough; remember that even authentication codes can be stolen. The best solution is to combine your use of online authentications with virus protection that includes an alert system.
Alert systems, such as those found in McAfee Software products, will let you know when a site is not secure so you can bank and shop with confidence.
These alert systems are found in many McAfee anti-virus products. McAfee SiteAdvisor plus is the cheap antivirus option, offering:
- Onsite warnings and security checks
- Search engine safety ratings
- Email security link advisor
- Password protection safety mode
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